The government monitors religious groups closely and imposes restrictive legislation.

Azerbaijan

World Watch List Rank

World Watch List Score

45

57/100

Leader

Population

President Ilham Aliyev

9.9 million | 319,000 Christians

Main Religion

Government

Islam

Presidential Republic

WWL Rank in 2017

Persecution Level

High Persecution

Officially, Azerbaijan is secular and religion is tolerated. However, very little information gets out of the country – a sign that Christians are facing intense government pressure. Surveillance is so high that Christians do not know who to trust. Many end up isolated and alone. Local authorities and police raid religious meetings, detaining believers and confiscating religious materials. Believers from Muslim backgrounds face persecution from their family, community and local Imams.

PRAYER POINTS FOR AZERBAIJAN

That Christians would know whom to trust and have the courage to share the gospel

For strength and comfort for secret believers and those ostracized by their family

That new Bibles and study materials would reach Christians who have had theirs confiscated in church raids.

AZERBAIJAN PHOTO GALLERY

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